Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of complete metamorphosis in insects?

The characteristic that is not associated with complete metamorphosis in insects is when the larva looks like a miniature adult. In cases of complete metamorphosis, which includes the developmental stages of egg, larva, pupa, and adult, the larval stage is distinctly different in form and function from the adult. The larva typically has a specialized morphology adapted for feeding and growth, whereas the adult often has different adaptations for reproduction and, in many cases, mobility.

In contrast, the other characteristics—like involving a pupa stage, having a significant difference between the adult and larva, and including multiple instars during the larval stage—are defining features of complete metamorphosis. The pupa stage serves as a transformative period where the larva undergoes significant changes to become the adult form. The substantial difference between larva and adult is a hallmark of this type of metamorphosis, showcasing how the life stages are adapted for different roles in the insect's life cycle. The presence of multiple instars refers to the stages of growth that occur during the larval phase before transition to the pupal stage, further emphasizing that the transformations in shape and function are pronounced and not merely incremental.